Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Greene's Division, Twelfth Army Corps
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
1. Greene's Division Tablet
Greene's Division, Twelfth Army Corps.
Brig. Gen. George Greene, Commanding.
(September 17, 1862.)
Greene's Division having turned the enemy's right in the East Woods advanced against the Confederate infantry north and east of this point, which retired to the woods west of the Hagerstown Pike. Greene pressed forward in pursuit through the East Woods and across Mumma's Fields to the ridge a few yards east of this point, where he halted to replenish ammunition. With the assistance of Monroe's Tompkins' and Owen's Rhode Island, Knapp's Pennsylvania and Edgell's New Hampshire Batteries, he repulsed several assaults of the enemy. About 10:30 a.m., he crossed this road and advanced into the woods beyond the Dunkard Church which he held until noon, when he was compelled to retire to the East Woods, where he formed line in support of the Sixth Army Corps.
Erected by Antietam Battlefield Board. (Marker Number 51.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Antietam Campaign War Department Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 39° 28.524′ N, 77° 44.781′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Twelfth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); Reserve Artillery, Longstreet's Command (here, next to this marker); Second Army Corps (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Twelfth Army Corps (here, next to this marker); 5th, 7th and 66th Ohio Infantry Monument (here, next to this marker); Dunkard Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Destroy the Rebel Army (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named "Destroy the Rebel Army" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on March 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. 2nd Division, XII Corps. Greene was an 1823 graduate of West Point. After serving for about thirteen years he resigned and worked as a civilian engineer. After
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
2. Greene's Division, Twelfth Army Corps Marker
3. George S. Greene. George Sears Greene (May 6, 1801 – January 28, 1899) was a civil engineer and a Union general during the American Civil War. (Submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Tablet Cluster Opposite the Dunker Church
Five numbered tablets, with one continuation tablet, stand in front of the Dunker Church on the east side of the old Pike. These are, from furthest from the camera, Tyndale's Brigade (53), Second Army Corps (116), continuation tablet for 116, Goodrich's Brigade (114), Greene's Division (51), and Reserve Artillery of Longstreet's Command (306).
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015
4. Greene's Division, Twelfth Army Corps Marker
Second From the Right
Second From the Right
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. Brig. General George S. Greene (1801-1899)
Greene led a crushing attack against the Confederates near the Dunker Church, achieving the farthest penetration of Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson's lines than any Union unit. Under immense pressure, Greene held his small division in advance of the rest of the army for four hours, but eventually withdrew after suffering heavy losses.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008
6. Greene's Objective
For about an hour and a half Greene's Division maintained a tenuous hold on the area around the Dunker Church, and the south end of the West Woods. Running low on ammunition and receiving no reinforcements, Greene fell back to the East Woods where the division had started. Greene's command was perhaps the most successful Division on the Federal side of the field.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,057 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on March 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on March 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
